Steve Leifer, the new Environmental Department chair for Baker Botts L.L.P. , plans to continue building on the success of the firm’s national and international environmental practice.

Leifer, who served as the department’s deputy chair for six years prior to accepting his new assignment on October 1, 2010, was quoted in the press release at the firm’s website as saying: “One key challenge facing our environmental team is to expand our global footprint while at the same time maintaining our strong national federal practice and our reputation as the ‘go-to’ firm on environmental matters in Texas.”

Based in the firm’s Washington office, Leifer  succeeds Pam Giblin, who held the department chair position for 10 years.

  

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Prior to entering private practice, Leifer spent more than a decade in key positions at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During his nearly 15 years at the firm, Leifer has built an extensive national federal practice that focuses on environmental litigation, toxic tort, product liability and Superfund practice areas.

Baker Botts Managing Partner Walt Smith was quoted as saying: “Steve has a proven ability to manage complex matters for our clients to produce the best results for them on a consistent basis. He has a broad knowledge of environmental law that will suit him well in this new position.”

Leifer is national counsel to various petroleum and chemical companies with respect to product liability lawsuits across the country. He has been involved in high-profile issues across the country, including class action lawsuits arising out of alleged exposure to hazardous substances and compliance issues associated with Superfund, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), the Clean Water Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).

Leifer is chair of the firm’s professional development committee and chair of the Washington office’s development committee. He is also a member of the firm’s records management committee.

Baker Botts is an international law firm with over 750 lawyers and a network of 13 offices worldwide. The firm provides a full range of legal services to international, national and regional clients.